Garden show set Sunday afternoon

Published: Friday, April 5, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 11:18 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | It may not yet feel like spring in Tuscaloosa, but the season will soon be in full bloom.

Alabama gardeners know that now is the time to plant watermelons, squash, corn and cucumbers for a good summer harvest. An event scheduled for Sunday is timed for those seeking guidance to make their gardens greener.

“It’s Easy to Be Green” is the theme of the second Earth Day Garden Show hosted by the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society.

“We have lot more green space in Tuscaloosa now than we did two years ago,” said event coordinator Lucy Murphy. “We want to show people what they can do with what they have. We can use those spaces to our benefit and to the environment’s benefit.”

The free, family-friendly event will be from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Battle-Friedman House and Gardens on Greensboro Avenue.

“Kids will be planting seeds that they can take home, watch grow and then transplant,” Murphy said. “We will have all kinds of printed material for people to pick up about how to make their green spaces better and work for them.”

Children will have the opportunity to venture into the garden’s fern pit, which Murphy said is the oldest in the state, and pick out a free tomato plant to take home.

Representatives from Tuscaloosa County Master Gardeners, the Tuscaloosa County Extension Service, the city of Tuscaloosa’s Environmental Services Department, the environmental education program Legacy, the Alabama Environmental Council and many other groups will answer questions and provide demonstrations about green gardening practices. People can learn about layering soil and how to use recyclable materials like newspapers in flower and vegetable beds.

The Tuscaloosa County High School’s Velvet Blue band will provide entertainment on the lawn. Everyone will receive a free tote bag filled with items including a rain gauge and free yogurt coupon. Door prizes will be provided by the event’s 35 sponsors. Alabama One Credit Union mascot Moola Moola, the magical money monster from the make-believe land of Lotta Loot, and Tuscaloosa Environmental Services’ Ricky the Recycling Raccoon will hand out balloons to children.

“This is a great family event,” Murphy said. “One of the missions we have at the Preservation Society is educating the public in terms of preservation, and using green spaces and introducing people to facilities like the Battle-Friedman House is part of that.”

<p>TUSCALOOSA | It may not yet feel like spring in Tuscaloosa, but the season will soon be in full bloom.</p><p>Alabama gardeners know that now is the time to plant watermelons, squash, corn and cucumbers for a good summer harvest. An event scheduled for Sunday is timed for those seeking guidance to make their gardens greener.</p><p>“It's Easy to Be Green” is the theme of the second Earth Day Garden Show hosted by the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society.</p><p>“We have lot more green space in Tuscaloosa now than we did two years ago,” said event coordinator Lucy Murphy. “We want to show people what they can do with what they have. We can use those spaces to our benefit and to the environment's benefit.”</p><p>The free, family-friendly event will be from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Battle-Friedman House and Gardens on Greensboro Avenue.</p><p>“Kids will be planting seeds that they can take home, watch grow and then transplant,” Murphy said. “We will have all kinds of printed material for people to pick up about how to make their green spaces better and work for them.”</p><p>Children will have the opportunity to venture into the garden's fern pit, which Murphy said is the oldest in the state, and pick out a free tomato plant to take home.</p><p>Representatives from Tuscaloosa County Master Gardeners, the Tuscaloosa County Extension Service, the city of Tuscaloosa's Environmental Services Department, the environmental education program Legacy, the Alabama Environmental Council and many other groups will answer questions and provide demonstrations about green gardening practices. People can learn about layering soil and how to use recyclable materials like newspapers in flower and vegetable beds.</p><p>The Tuscaloosa County High School's Velvet Blue band will provide entertainment on the lawn. Everyone will receive a free tote bag filled with items including a rain gauge and free yogurt coupon. Door prizes will be provided by the event's 35 sponsors. Alabama One Credit Union mascot Moola Moola, the magical money monster from the make-believe land of Lotta Loot, and Tuscaloosa Environmental Services' Ricky the Recycling Raccoon will hand out balloons to children.</p><p>“This is a great family event,” Murphy said. “One of the missions we have at the Preservation Society is educating the public in terms of preservation, and using green spaces and introducing people to facilities like the Battle-Friedman House is part of that.”</p><p>Reach Stephanie Taylor at </p><p>stephanie.taylor@tuscaloosa</p><p>news.com or 205-722-0210.</p>